Reed Secures $1 million for the Roger Williams University Center for Aquaculture Development
WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) secured $1 million to support the establishment of a Center for Aquaculture Development (CAD) at Roger Williams University (RWU) in Bristol. The CAD will be established within the Universitys Center for Economic and Environmental Development which has an active aquaculture research program and operates the only shellfish hatchery in Rhode Island. Reed stated, The creation of a Center for Aquaculture Development at Roger Williams University will enable regional industry to take advantage of a rapidly expanding global aquaculture market.The CADs planned programs include increasing the capacity of the Centers shellfish hatchery to develop disease resistant strains of shellfish and releasing shellfish seed and winter flounder into Narragansett Bay for public harvest. Roger Williams University President Dr. Roy Nirschel stated, Roger Williams University is proud to be a leader in the Marine Sciences and Aquaculture Development. The monies secured by Senator Reed, combined with the generous support of individual benefactors in RI and beyond, will enable the University to greatly expand the only shellfish hatchery in RI, and continue the critical marine biology research of our faculty and students. Roger Williams University is grateful for Senator Reeds continuing support for our outstanding programs in the Sciences.In FY02 Reed secured $1.5 million to encourage greater coastal economic development of aquaculture such as farming shellfish or fin-fish in coastal waters or ponds across the state. For more information contact: Jeff Gillooly, Roger Williams University, at (401) 254-3871